“ 93 is very stigmatized but people should be worried about other things, like the climate crisis », believes Noémie, a resident of Saint-Ouen. This Wednesday, 13 days before the first round of the presidential election, the departmental council of Seine-Saint-Denis organized a public meeting to discuss the concerns and expectations raised by the young people of the department before this election. To illustrate their remarks, a film of 104 interviews with young people from 9-3, produced by the community, was shown. During this “apartanist and citizen” meeting, these young men and women spoke about discrimination, the ecological crisis, the lack of access to studies and employment, among other things.
“ Jgrew up in a popular neighborhood so I recognize myself in what has been said », explains Aristide. The young man organized the event as part of his job. “ The demands expressed this evening will be heard by associations and by certain elected officials of the department, but not in the higher spheres », does he think. Deeming his vote vain, he decided not to go to the polls on April 10. “We are so far from politics that I did not even know that the first round was in 13 days”adds Jihene.
No listening, no ballot
Many don’t care because candidates don’t approach them in the right way. “ What is expected of them is not that they make TikTok, says Inès. Above all, we want to be heard. » aware of being “ dredged » during an election period, some regret that they are given the floor so late.
In the room, almost no hands are raised when the host asks if some do not intend to vote. “ These are not young people who no longer believe in republican values, on the contrary they remind France that it is moving away from its values of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity », estimates Stéphane Roussel, president of the departmental council. Those youth nevertheless warn about the temptation of abstentionism for those who do not feel listened to.
Elected officials reminded of their responsibilities
“ Young people should be trusted », advises Ambrane, a student at La Sorbonne Paris Nord. The department of Seine Saint-Denis, the youngest in mainland France, encourages its young people to express their feelings about politics and elections. The department plans to send the twelve candidates for the presidential the film of testimonies. “ I hope our email will not fall into their spam », jokes Gregory. Candidates will then be invited to answer these questions on video.
“ Associations and companies do more for young people than the government and the department, adds Sabri, a political science student. It’s up to you to make young people want to vote. » On several occasions, young people took on the elected officials who had come to attend the meeting to remind them of their responsibilities. “ Don’t see it as personal attacks », jokes Sabri. In addition to the presidential election, Grégory points out that in June “ there are the legislative elections, we can try to weigh in on the debate at that time “.